Beneficial Bacterial-Auricularia cornea Interactions Fostering Growth Enhancement Identified from Microbiota Present in Spent Mushroom Substrate

Summary

This research discovered how certain beneficial bacteria can help improve the growth and production of wood ear mushrooms, an economically important edible mushroom crop. Scientists identified specific bacteria that naturally occur in mushroom growing materials and showed how they work together with the mushroom to enhance its growth. Impact on everyday life: – Better mushroom farming techniques leading to increased production and availability – More sustainable and efficient cultivation methods for mushroom growers – Potential cost reduction in mushroom production benefiting consumers – Natural growth enhancement without chemical additives – Improved understanding of beneficial microorganisms in agriculture

Background

Auricularia, known as wood ear mushroom, is the third most cultivated mushroom globally, accounting for approximately 17% of mushroom production worldwide. The fruiting body contains beneficial nutrients and compounds with medicinal properties. Complex bacterial-fungal interactions play key roles during mushroom growth and cultivation, ranging from mutualistic to antagonistic relationships that influence mycelial and fruiting body formation.

Objective

To investigate the bacterial communities in spent mushroom substrates from high-yield versus low-yield Auricularia cornea cultivation and identify beneficial bacteria that can promote mushroom growth. The study aimed to characterize the microbial interactions and molecular mechanisms underlying growth enhancement.

Results

Species richness and diversity of microbiota were significantly higher in high-yield samples. Five bacterial species showed high differential abundance between groups. Co-cultivation showed that Pseudonocardia mangrovi TBRC-BCC 42794 significantly promoted A. cornea mycelial growth. Proteomics identified 1,616 proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism, peptide processing, transport, and biosynthesis of growth-promoting compounds.

Conclusion

The study identified P. mangrovi as a growth-promoting bacterium for A. cornea cultivation through mechanisms involving carbohydrate-active enzymes, peptidases, transporters, and biosynthetic pathways for growth-promoting molecules. The findings provide insights into bacterial-fungal interactions that can be utilized to improve A. cornea cultivation yields.
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